English
English is central to the entire curriculum and is key to all learning, it is through speaking, and listening, reading and writing that children learn to understand the world they live in. Therefore teaching English is Paramount. We aim to foster and develop in each child an ability to communicate effectively in oral and written contexts, with confidence and flair.
Reading and spelling are taught through a wide variety of phonetically based Montessori materials.
Lorenzo has learnt the ‘sh’ phonogram and is building these words using the objects to prompt the correct letter sounds.
Reading and writing are an integral part of the school day.
Every month a poetry workshop is run by a published poet. Here are a few poems we have created with the guidance of our poetry teacher…At The Gower School science is given prominence as emphasised by the National Curriculum. The school has a dedicated Science/Art facility and is well equipped for children to conduct experiments, practical observation and problem solving activities. This area includes Biology, Zoology and Biodiversity.
Maths
Whilst covering and exceeding all the core elements of the National Curriculum Numeracy Strategy, including mental strategies, problem solving and investigation, our independent status enables us to bring the concrete Montessori Methods into our teachings. The amount of mathematics in everyday use is extensive and it is taught individually or in small groups and is all child focused.
Arthur is working out a subtraction problem with thousands, hundreds, tens and units in a very concrete way, gaining a physical impression of the quantities before working with the written abstract symbols.
Harvey is working out addition with tens and units including change (carrying numbers) using counters.
James likes to add units with counters too.
Edmund is doing subtraction with tens and units using Montessori beads to help him work these sums out.
Ellie is working on her 6x tables using the Multiplication board and beads.
Art and design
Creative development is vital for a balanced education. Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination. Children become involved in shaping their environments through art and design activities and learn to make informed judgements, aesthetic and practical decisions. The Gower School encourage child to foster and enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a good knowledge of artists, craftspeople and designers.
Drama, dance and music are all taught at the school and each term a performance is given to family and friends. Individual music lessons are offered for a variety of instruments such as piano, strings, woodwind, brass, drum kit and the voice. The school has a Choir and a variety of groups for children to participate in.
Geography is a foundation subject within the national curriculum and we base great emphasis on the world around us as a Montessori school. It encourages pupils to acquire and develop skills and knowledge necessary to understand the world in which we live.
Here are some children enjoying exploring world maps in a concrete manner, and exploring artefacts from each continent is an extension of this work.
Design and Technology
Here are some children enjoying exploring world maps in a concrete manner, and exploring artefacts from each continent is an extension of this work .Physical Education develops the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding, so that they can perform with increasing competence and confidence in a range of physical activities. Weekly lessons and coaching takes place with specialists, at a range of sports centres including Islington Tennis Centre and Cally Pool. We enjoy yoga, dance, swimming, football, tennis, rounders and physical education at The Gower School.
Personal Social, Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship.
We have a responsibility to ensure that the information our children received in the context of accepted values, based on sound moral principals.
We learn many life skills that have both direct aims and indirect aims, like refining our hand muscles for writing, extending concentration or working from left to write as in reading and writing.
Our Special Helper system offers each child the opportunity to help their teacher and enjoy an extra special day at school. Activities such as bringing in a favourite CD, setting up the snack area, reading to younger children, taking the register and running errands all contribute to the growth of self esteem and independence. We promote the use of good manners and social skills and children are encouraged to think openly about the world that they live in, and their contribution to their community.
Alice is doing flower arranging to add aesthetic value to our class and to teach her about different flowers, this will naturally help to extend her concentration as it is a really big task.
Jude is sewing a book mark and Millie and Molly are making a cushion, this activity is great for fine motor development and of course teaching a valuable life skill.
Children have the choice to squeeze fresh orange juice, grate cheese or to peel carrots for our snack table on a daily basis.
We place great importance on learning with in the class room as well as beyond and going on outings is a big part of our annual plan. Here we have children exploring ` different recycling materials and activities at the i-recycle centre.
A Visit to the London Aquarium as part of an ‘Under the Sea’ topic.